Canada to face the United States in friendly

Jermaine Jones, of the U.S. competes for a ball with teammate Michael Bradley against Tosaint Ricketts, of Canada, during their international friendly match on June 3, 2012 at BMO Field in Toronto. (AFP)

QMI Agency

The Canadian men’s national soccer team announced Monday it will face the United States in an international friendly Jan. 29 at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Tex.

The second time Canada will play the U.S. in less than a year, the match will serve as preparation for the Americans, who travel to Honduras a week later to begin the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying.

"The match against Canada will come at the end of an important training camp as we get players ready for the World Cup qualifier against Honduras, and also get a good look at some up and coming players in the national team pool," said U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann.

Canada was eliminated on the final day of third-round qualifying when it fell 8-1 to Honduras in San Pedro Sula last October. The blowout denied Canada a place in next year’s final round and spoiled its chance to compete for its first World Cup berth since 1986.

The Canadians and Americans played to an eventful 0-0 draw last June at BMO Field in Toronto.

"Obviously we have a great history with Canada, and they were unlucky not to qualify for the final round. The stadium in Houston is awesome and the fans have been incredibly supportive there, so for us it's a great way to start off the centennial year of U.S. Soccer."

Canada remains without a head coach more than two months after it bowed out of 2014 qualifying. Former head coach Stephen Hart resigned in the days after the team returned from Central America and it remains unclear if the team will have a head coach before the end of next month.

Canada is also scheduled to face Denmark in an international friendly on Jan. 26 at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tucson, Ariz.